Huawei and Qualcomm Sign Multi-Year Patent Agreement

Two of the world’s leading technology companies, China’s Huawei and US-based Qualcomm, have signed a multi-year agreement to cross-license patents covering 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), computing and networking technologies.

The agreement marks the first cross-licensing deal between the two technology giants covering 5G technology. Under the new arrangement, the companies will not only gain access to each other’s patents and intellectual property, but Qualcomm has also agreed to directly acquire several US patents developed by Huawei in the fields of AI, computing and networking.

Regulatory Approval and Financial Impact

The two companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement in a joint statement. However, according to international sources, once the deal is finalised, Huawei’s total contracted revenue from patent licensing agreements will exceed US$6.9 billion.

Huawei has been subject to US trade restrictions since 2019. As a result, the process of purchasing US technology-related patents and transferring intellectual property will require final approval from the US Department of Commerce and relevant regulatory authorities before it can take effect.

Recognition of Innovation in Global Technology

Industry experts have viewed the agreement positively despite the longstanding commercial tensions between the two countries.

Alan Fan, Huawei’s chief intellectual property officer, said the company had established a leading position in 5G and mobile communications through decades of research and investment. He described the agreement as global recognition of Huawei’s innovative capabilities.

Meanwhile, John Han, executive vice president of technology licensing at Qualcomm, said the agreement would help advance the technological expertise and 5G innovations developed by the two companies on the global stage.

The agreement is expected to contribute to the freer development of technology worldwide and further accelerate broader global technological progress.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//